MAKE THE MOST OF TIME MANAGEMENT, ONE TICK AT A TIME

SOME SCIENTISTS claim that hyper-precise atomic clocks lose no more than one second every 15 billion years. I am no match — I lose hundreds of seconds in a single day looking for car keys, waiting on hold for customer service or trying to remember a user name and password.

If a second here or there doesn’t seem significant, consider a sports analogy: It takes no more than a few seconds to pass, shoot, or hit a ball. Following the math, a team that gets distracted during training, even for as little as five minutes, misses scores of opportunities to focus and improve their game.

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY

In addition to contributing to advances in patient care, technology (the theme of this month’s issue of Optometric Management), can often reduce the time consumed for many office activities. Consider the time saved by many of the latest diagnostic devices, office equipment, cell phones and tablet computers, information systems and a practice website where patients can make appointments in just a few keystrokes. These savings may benefit doctors, staff and patients alike.

ON “SECOND” THOUGHT. . .

If you find yourself with a few extra seconds, think of the opportunities. You could, for example:

• Compliment or thank an employee, patient, friend or loved one.
• Post to social media about a new product or service offered.
• Review and/or update a to-do list.
• Visit a charitable website, and make a donation.
• Query a vendor.
• Delegate a task to an ambitious employee.
• Schedule a doctor’s visit.
• Reconnect with an old friend/acquaintance/mentor.
• Take a breath, and release tension.
• Email me your ideas of what to do with a few extra seconds.

In a world where our professional and personal lives move faster and faster, don’t lose sight of a few extra seconds. Often, they can change our fortunes. OM